Railway crossing



April 2, 1940. L. sADLER RAILWAY CROSSING Filed Feb. 24, 1939 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 3 Z 6 y y y a 2 6/, E a M 5%? 4. n W/ fly L a 1 2 .i 2 .w m a A a? z a a x amw d m. J 6 1H! J J 7. m T M M -H u. 4 A 3 w z INVENTOR April 2, 1940. SADLER 2,195,876

RAILWAY CROSSING I Filed Feb. 24 1939 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR Patented Apr. 2, 1940 A cNiTEo STATES PATENT OFFICE 2,195,876 RAILWAY onossING Luther Sadler, Los Angelcs, Califi, assignor of shock,

one-half to Charles E Calif.

Application February 24,

' 9 Claims.

This invention relates to and has for its primary purpose the provision of a safe and reliable mechanism for closing the gaps between rails of a railway crossing; whereby to lessen the noise, wear and possible equipment damage which attends the use of ordinary crossings.

I am aware of many patents for noiseless railway crossings and devices for closing the tread gaps therein and that broadly, it is old in this art to move gap closing members into and out of gap closing position, either by selective manually operable or train actuated mechanisms. However, in so far as I am aware, apparatus as heretofore developed has not been put into use an appreciable extent and few if any railroads are using such equipment at the present time, due possibly to the fact that the safety and reliability factor necessary to successful use of such apparatus, has not been present. When considering the fact that a railway crossing is comparatively simple, rugged and under all conditions, reliable and safe, it is at once understood that any apparatus or device for closing the gaps therein must have comparable ruggedness, reliability of performance and above all, a high safety factor. To this end I have devised a gap closing unit and associated operating means which will be superior to such devices as heretofore used, in point of simplicity, ruggedness, and reliability of performance, as well as in other respects as will be apparent with reference to the accompanying drawings and the following specification.

One of the purposes of this invention is to providegap closing units for intersections of a railway of a railway crossing wherein the gap closing members are comparatively small and are moved through but a short distance vertically into and out of gap closing positions and are so constructed, mounted and operated as to effectively sustain all shocks and thrusts without setting up torsional forces which may cause undue wear or interfere with the operation thereof, the load thrust being transmitted to the roadbed through the unit hereof in a vertical direction parallel to the direction of movement of said gap closing members.

. Remaly, Los Angeles,

1939, Serial N0. 258,247

out departing from the spirit or sacrificing any advantages of the invention.

In the drawings:

Figure l is a vertical sectional view taken on the line |I .of Figure 2, and showing one of four gap closing units of my invention as employed in a railway crossing.

Figure 2 is a top plan view of the structure shown in Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a cross section taken on the line a 33 of Figure 1.

Figure 4 discloses a top plan view of the plug member. Figure 4 is a sectional view of the plug member with the section taken on the line a-a of Figure 4.

Figure 5 discloses a top plan View of the retracting ring. Figure 5 is a side elevation of the retracting ring.

Figure 6 discloses a top plan view of the cam for operating the gap closing members. Figure 6 is a fragmentary side elevation of the cam.

Figure 7 discloses a top plan view of the wear plate. Figure 7 is a side elevation of the wear plate.

Figures 8 and 9 are side elevations of the two gap closing members as used in the unit shown in Figure 1.

Figure 10 is a semi-schematic section as though taken on the plane of line 3-3 of Figure 1 but with parts omitted whereby to more clearly show the operating means for the four gap closing units as would be employed in a railway crossing.

Figure 11 is a view similar to Figure 10 of a variational form of operating means for the four gap closing units of a railway crossing.

Figure 12 is a schematic top plan view showing the gap closing members as slightly modified for operation in a crossing where the rails are other than right angularly crossed.

Figure 13 is a top plan view of a variational form of a cam as may be used to operate the gap closing members arranged as shown in Figure 12.

In the accompanying drawings I have shown the detailed construction of but one of the four intersections of the crossing of my invention inasmuch as each is identical in construction. As best shown in Figures 1 and 2 the intersection is cast or otherwise formed to include a central housing-like body portion 1, aligned rail portions 2 and 3, see Figure 1, similar aligned rail portions 4 and 5, see Figure 2, a cylindrical pocket or chamber 5 located centrally of the body portion and opening at its upper end between the adjacent ends of said railportion, and a base portion 1 closing the lower end of said chamber.

In accordance with my invention the rail gap closing means is contained in the chamber 6 and generally includes a segmental and non-rotatable plug or insert member 8 fitted in said chamber and serving as a continuati n of the tread and rail groove of each rail portion, it be ng noted that said plug member is provided with intersecting grooves 9 and iii adapted to register with the grooves of said rail portions. Where these grooves intersect, the rail tread are formed and such gaps are subject to being closed by comparatively small and substantially rectangu-- lar block-like members it and which are wen tically movable between the segments of said plug into and out of gap closing position.

It will now be apparent that the gap closing members need be raised and lowered but a short distance in order to respectively close the gaps between treads of rails and open or clear the rail grooves to accommodate the flanges of the wheels of rolling stock. This movement need be no great r than the depth of the grooves of the rails, and due to such short movement and the relatively free fit and small area of the gap closing 1' lembers, the possibility of failure of operation due to freezing of the gap closing means is minimized. Such freezing however, often takes place with the use of relatively larger turntables and the like rotatable members requiring greater rotation or movement, for closing the gaps.

With particular reference to the circular plug 8 which is shown in detail in Figure 4., it comprises a quarter segment l3 and a three quarter segment i l for convenience of machining and of assembling and disassembling the unit. Arcuate flanges l depending from the curved outer margins of said segments engage in counterbores IS, Figure l, in the body portion i whereby to anchor the plug in place and provide an effective load sustaining fixture. The two segments l3 and i i are held against rotation and in proper position by means of the threaded dowel pins ii. The segments i3 and i i are provided with dependent angular skirts i3 and i9 co-operating as guides for the gap closing members ii and E2, and are also provided with depending arcuate skirts 2B and 2! fitting the bore of the chamber 6 and resting on the flanges 22, Figure l, in the latter.

The means for raising and lowering the gap closing members El and 22 as here provided, includes a wear plate 23, Figure 1, on the base '7, a cam member 2 3 rotatable on a vertical axis thereon and engaging the lower ends of the members i i and l 2, a retracting cam ring 25 carried by said cam and operative to retract members ii and i2 and a connection means 28 for establishing an operative connection with an operating means as will be hereinafter described, for rotating the cam member 2 5. These elements of the means for raising and lowering the gap closing members are mounted one upon the other so that a virtually solid metal support between the base i and the plug 8 and members E! and i2 is provided whereby to effectively sustain all loads and stresses placed on members 8, l and i2 and associated parts. hus the thrust is borne by the roadbed on which said base rests and transmitted in a vertical direction parallel to the direction of movement of the gap closing members whereby to eliminate torsional strains and wear resulting therefrom.

The wear plate 23, Figures 1 and 7, is circular and held on the base by means of dowel pins 21 carried thereby and seated in base openings 28.

The cam 24 and in fact the entire unit is properly centered by means of a hub 29 formed centrally of the base and fitted in aligned openings 38 and 3| in the base and cam respectively, said hub being the axis of the cam. At its periphery the plate 35 has an upstanding flange 32, Figure 7, extending into a recess 33 of the cam 24 for excluding dirt and foreign matter from the contacting surfaces of the cam and wear plate.

As particularly shown in Figures 1 and 6, the cam 24 is formed as a circular plate or block having lubricant pockets 34 in lower face thereof for reception of graphite sticks or other lubricant. These pockets serve to loosely maintain the graphite sticks in lubricating contact with the wear plate 23. Similar pockets and sticks of graphite may be employed between other elements of the unit having relatively movable contacting surfaces, as for example, the pockets 35 and the spring urged sticks therein in the gap closing members as shown in Figure 1. On its upper face the cam 24, Figures 6 and 1, is formed with two inclined arouate cam surfaces 36 and 37 for engaging the lower ends of the gap closing members ii and i2 whereby to lift and lower said members when said cam is rotated. At the upper ends of the cam inclines 36 and 37 are flat and horizontal bearing surfaces 38 and 39 upon which the lower ends of the members H and i2 rest when raised to gap closing position, said bearing surfaces being at least equal in area to that of the ends of said gap closing members. A circular apron "i6 depends from the cam 24 and extends below the upper edge of the flange 32 for guiding foreign matter past and excluding it from the contacting surfaces of the cam and base.

The retracting cam ring 25, Figures 1 and 5, telescopes and is fixed in any suitable manner to the upper end of the cam and rotates therewith. This ring also encompasses the lower portions of the gap closing members H and I2 and is provided at its upper circumference with an inwardly extending annular cam flange 4| which follows the shape of the cam surfaces 36, 31, 38 and 39 and overlies shoulders 42 and 43, Figures 1 and 8, on said gap closing members. Should the gap closing members fail to gravitate out of gap closing position when the cam is turned for such purpose, the cam flange 4! of the retracting ring 25 will engage the shoulders 42 and 43 and force said members downwardly out of gap closing position.

As shown in Figures 1, 2, 3 and 8 the gap closing members H and H are formed as solid rectanguiar steel blocks of a width substantially equal to that of the wheel flange grooves of the track and a length just sufficient to reach from the top of the tread of the rail to the bearing surfaces 38 and 39 of the cam 24. In other words these members are comparatively small, yet will eifectively close the tread gaps in the rails. It is seen from Figures 1 and 3 that the gap closing members are loosely fitted between the angular guide skirts i8 and IQ of the segments of the plug 8 so as to avoid freezing" and eliminate wear. As here shown the gap closing members are in substantially abutting relation at their inner edges and are provided at their outer edges with skirts 44 and 25 for guiding foreign matter downwardly past the point where it would otherwise seep between the cam flange ll and shoulders 42 and 43. Foreign matter entering the center of the unit and dropping between the members H and I2 will discharge through the outlet pipe 46. Foreign matter deposited in the lower end of the chamber 6 will escape through lateral openings 41.

As here shown the lower ends of the gap closing member I I, Figure 8, is formed with a recess X for accommodating the cam surface 31 when the cam 24 is rotated through substantially 90 degrees of arc in one direction whereas the member I2 is provided with a similar recess Y for likewise accommodating cam surface 36. recesses X and Y also provide for the disposition of gap members in position other than at right angles as shown by the gap closing members X and Y in the oblique crossing Z in Figure 12. When the members X and Y are thus positioned a cam such as the one Z is employed it being noted thatthecam surfaces have an arc of less than 180 degrees but a cam movement travel equal or desirable for 90 degree interse'c tions. Thus by reason of the recesses X and Y the crossing unit may be used in oblique or right angular intersections.

With reference to the connecting means 26, as seen-in Figures 1, 3 and 10. such means includes four fiat rings 48, 49, 5B and 5| surrounding the ,body I. Arms 52 and 53 extend from opposite sides of the cam through circumferentially arouate openings 54 in the body I and are bolted to and between the two center rings 49 and whereas operating links or rods 55 and 565 for rotating said rings and the cams in opposite directions are pivoted to and between rings 48 and v 49, and 50 and 5! respectively. This ring connecting means 26 permits of crossing of the operating rods or links and the operation of said links in different planes and in fact facilitates the use of various operating means such as shown in Figures 10 and 11. In Figure 10 I have shown four intersection units A, B, C and D as would be used on a standard crossing and which are identical with the one shown in Figures 1, 2 and 3. These units through their ring connectors 25 and pairs of links 51, 58 and 59 are simultaneously operated, when the main operating rods fit! connected with the ring connector 25 of unit A are respectively pulled by a prime mover or other operating source not here shown. Without the ring connector means 26 the connecting links of the units could not be crossed and operated in adjacent but different planes. Thus the ring connectors make possible a simple, rugged and reliable operating connection between the'intersection units and a source of operation.

As shown in Figure 11, the operating means between the four intersection units E, F, G and H, each made in accordance with this invention, are operated from a center four ring connector J corresponding to the one 26. Pairs of links 61 and 68 connect the units F and H with the center connector J. Links 69 and 10 extend between units G and E and the center connector J and drive or operating links H are connected with and operate through unit E.

The purpose of the two operating devices shown in Figures 10 and 11 is to simultaneously operate four of my intersection units of a crossing. In this respect it is seen that when one of the operating rods or 1|, as the case may be, is pulled, two of the operating cams 24 will be rotated in one direction and two in the opposite direction, but four gap closing members will be raised into gap closing position and four will be lowered, and when the other of said operating rods is pulled, the then raised gap closing members will be lowered and the other gap closing Themembers will be raised. These operations may be train controlled or manually determined as desired and it is thought unnecessary to illustrate either of such operating means as both are well known in the art.

It is important to note that although the cams 24 will be rotated through 90 degrees of arc with each operation the gap closing members have but a short vertical movement for example, two inches or less. Heretofore in the art, turntables and likerotary gap closingv members were comparatively large and due to the rotary movement and the large area thereof were subject to freezing or seizing of the moving parts due to the presence of foreign matter or to expansion and contraction and other causes. This is elim inated in my gap closing means.

It is noteworthy that in the event the operating means fail to raise the gap closing members, any one or all of them, the wheels simply roll over the gaps in the usual manner. Further, if the gap closing members fail to retract for desired clearance for right of. way, the first wheels passing will drive the gap closing members down to free the grooves. These provisions in my device resolve the problem of functional failure down to pull rods and their operating means; a feature of operation of railway apparatus present in the standard equipment of today.

I claim:

1. A unit for closing the gaps in the treads of rails of a crossing, including a body portion adapted to be supported on a roadbed and having a cylindrical bore, intersecting rail portions on the upper side of said body portion and a pair of gap closing members supported in said, bore for relative vertical movement into and out of position for closing gaps between treads of said intersecting rail portions, and .a cam rotatable about the vertical axis of said bore for engaging the lower ends of and moving said members into and out of gap closing position.

2. A unit for closing the gaps in the treads of rails of a. crossing, including a body portion adapted to be supported on a roadbed, intersecting rail portions on the upper side of said body portion, and a pair of gap closing members supported on said body portion for relative vertical movement into and out of position for closing gaps between treads of said intersecting rail portions, and means operative beneath and for moving said members into and outof gap closing position including a cam rotatable on said body portion and having radially spaced, arcuate and concentric cam surfaces for moving said members into and out of gap closing position and other surfaces for supporting said members in gap closing position.

3. A unit for closing the gaps in the treads of rails of a crossing, including a body portion having a bore which opens at the upper end thereof, intersecting rail portions on the upper side of said body portion, and a pair of gap closing members mounted in said bore for relative vertical movement into and out of position forclosing gaps between treads'of said intersecting rail portions, a vertically divided segmental plug member mounted in said bore between the ends of the slidable between and extending below the lower ends of the segments of saidplug, and a cam operable against the lower ends of said gap closing members.

4. A unit for closing the gaps in the treads of rails of a crossing, including a body portion adapted to be supported on a roadbed, intersecting rail portions on the upper side of said body portion, a pair of gap closing members supported on said body portion for relative vertical movement into and out of position for closing gaps between treads of said intersecting rail portions, and means operative beneath and for moving said members into and out of gap closing position including a cam rotatable about the vertical axis of said body portion and having cam surfaces for moving said members into and out of gap closing position and other surfaces for supporting said members in gap closing position, and a retracting cam ring carried by said cam and surrounding and adapted to engage and move the gap closing member out of gap closing position.

5. A unit for closing the gaps in the treads of rails of a crossing, including a body portion adapted to be supported on a roadbed, intersecting rail portions on the upper side of said body and a pair of gap closing members supported on said body portion for relative vertical movement into and out of position for closing gaps between treads of said intersecting rail portions, a segmental plug member fixed on said body portion between the ends of the rail portions and having tread surfaces and wheel flange grooves aligned with treads and grooves on said rail portions, said gap closing members being slidable between segments of said plug, a cam rotatable on and about the vertical axis of said body portion and having radially spaced cam surfaces for engaging and moving said gap closing members into gap closing position and bearing surfaces for supporting said members when in gap closing position, means for rotating said cam in opposite directions, for alternately raising and lowering said gap closing members, a retracting cam ring carried by said cam and surrounding said gap closing members and cam rin engaging portions on said gap closing members.

6. A unit for closing the gaps in the treads of rails of a crossing, including a body portion adapted to be supported on a roadbed, intersecting rail portions on the upper side of said body portion, a pair of gap closing members supported on said body portion for relative vertical movement into and out of position for closing gaps between treads of said intersecting rail portions, a segmental plug member fixed on said body portion between the ends of the rail portions and having tread surfaces and wheel flange grooves aligned with treads and grooves on said rail portions, said gap closing members being slidable between segments of said plug, a cam rotatable in and about the vertical axis of said body portion and having cam surfaces for engaging and moving said gap closing members into gap closing position and bearing surfaces for supporting said members when in gap closing position, means for rotating said cam in opposite directions, for alternately raising and 1owering said gap closing members, a retracting cam ring carried by said cam and arranged to engage and retract said gap closing members, a wear plate on said body portion, said cam and wear plate having aligned openings and a hub on said wear plate extending into said aligned openings for centering and serving as an axis for the cam.

'7. In a rail gap closing unit for a railway crossing, a body portion, a segmental plug mounted in said body, said body and plug having co-operating intersecting rail portions and wheel flange grooves, and gap closing members mounted between segments of said plug for sliding movement into and out of rail closing position and means in said body for so moving said members, including a cam rotatable on a vertical axis coincident with the vertical axis of said body portion, and a plurality of rings surrounding and connected with said cam and affording spaces therebetween for accommodating link connections.

8. A plurality of units for closing the gaps in the treads of intersecting rails of a crossing, each of said units including gap closing members reciprocally movable into and out of gap closing position, and a rctative means for so moving said members, including a plurality of rings surrounding said gap closing members and movable for operating said means, and pairs of links pivoted to and between rings of said units for operatively interconnecting said units, certain of the links crossing one another and the pairs of links being in difierent planes by reason of the spacing thereof between said rings.

9. A plurality of units for closing the gaps in the treads of intersecting rails of a crossing, each of said units including gap closing members reciprocally movable into and out of gap closing position, a plurality of rings surrounding the gap closing members at each unit, means operating responsive to movement of the rings at each unit for moving the gap closing members thereof into and out of gap closing position, pairs of links extending between said units and pivotally connected with and between corresponding rings thereof, certain of said links crossing one another, the pairs of links being in different planes, and operating rods connected with and between rings of one of said units and movable for simultaneously operating gap closing members of all said units.

LUTHER SADLER. 

